today

today i was in the house because of the rain, so we didn't go any where. i must say that this is somewhat of a rest for me. My people have been so helpful and most gracious in my stay here. I am so glad that i decided to come but next time i will stay a shorter time as not to impose on them. Over all though it's still a good trip.

photo comments

as you can see from the pictures i'm not far from food. The sites and sounds of the place are really just too much. I had no idea this place was so large. There are shops on every block every other door. I really wished I'd stopped at the Italian store earlier because I really got a deal on some fabric. I am going to make a shirt and skirt from this stuff. Probably the closet I'll get to Italy is just to buy the fabric and anything Italian.

My friend was with me every step of the way. What are friends for....to just watch you spend money you don't have. I knew that I had to have that fabric and that I wasn't going to get the opportunity to buy it again at least not in the states. So seize the moment. That's exactly what I did............am I ever glad that I don't have a charge card. I might have been in serious trouble. So at least i'll have a memory. Now just two weeks to go. I will go home with just the cab fare to get home. I really am going to have to do something about this body..........cause I don't recognize this person. ciao for now

photos of my trip

another bag

This is the bag that I made for my friend in Seattle. I saw some bags that this lady in Sweden makes and my goodness my mouth watered. This women makes quilted purses and they look fantastic. I know I said I am not into quilting but to make bags that come out that beautiful would be worth it. Every bag this lady makes is really a piece of art. I am just going to have to learn to do what I do best. And this looks well but to me it's not polished. That's the way I want my work to look polished.

pants

I was so lazy I didn't feel like wearing the pants that I packed for my trip, because that meant I would have to wash them. So I made some last night and this is what they look like. I am still getting the hang of trying to take these pictures. I don't know how people take pictures of themselves all the time. In my day these were called peddle pushers. This is thrift fabric.

tickets

well today I got my tickets for Toronto. So I can't wait for June 7th can't get here fast enough. I am going to spend as much time as I can checking things out especially the fabric places. It will be nice. I am not expecting my friend to take me everywhere so I will try and make some connections on my own, and see how many people I can meet. This should be fun. I'm expecting a miracle in funds before the 7th. We just skyped each other so it was nice finally seeing her face. She seems to be a very nice woman. I think I picked wisely this time. So when I get back which will be the 28th of June I should have a lot to talk about. This will be my first time in Toronto. Been to Van couver and to Montreal. So I am really looking forward to this, just to get away and regroup.

mudlcothe

this is first bag I made and that's why Daeisha wanted it, and I thought I posted this before. I just like the pattern.

latest work

This is Daeisha who really begged me for this bag. My honorary daughter. I was made it for my friend Carmelle who gave me the mud clothe. This turned out very well. I think that I would like to work with this fabric to make a jacket. I also made another bag for a new friend that I found in Canada. Kinda like a good faith thing.

I know it's been a while, but in addition to trying to figure out what fabric I wanted to work with, i"ve been obsessed you might say with the new 7700 Janome. The message boards have been full with ladies talking about the new machine ect. I really would like to stay in my own price range. At this point though it really doesn't make sense to get the 6600 because the machine is at least 4 1/2 yrs old. There are so many good comments on this machine. The new one hasn't really proven it's self. So far there is just a lot of talk about the machine. Either way I would like to be on the cutting edge in buying it then that way I am current.

Last night I went online and look at the elissimo by babylock.......and it's made by brother I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. Right now the I am still paying on the new Janome. I need it for speed. At 1,000 stitches per minute this would really work for me in making the bags. So I am more or less forced to get it. Getting an industrial sewing machine would be too noisy in an apartment, as the motor is noisy. So I might as well get something that is closet to it. Hence the Janome. ................decisions decisions!

new fabric

I brought this Asian print material and I made a blouse out of it. I am so disappointed with myself because I should have gotten more of that fabric. Could have made a skirt. You can't see it but I brought some beige stretchy type of fabric to make a pair of pants out of, and then some blue jean stretch material. Forgot to get the needles, it's always something. Then I brought some pinstriped stretch fabric and that was for the low price of 45.00 and that was steal for me that day. So I was pretty happy. Just have to remember to get the needles.

on a roll

During the weekend I spent with two other ladies who are sewing orientated. It was really nice. Started out with bacardi rum and papaya/mango juice and some very tired stiches followed by quiche. We were doing stitches that were in a course that one of the ladies is taking. By the way this is a dress making course. I had a hard time with the herring bone stitch. For some reason I wasn't getting it. The rest of the stitches I already know and have used before. Over all it was a nice weekend.

We are going to get together as often as I can, and in the meantime I am still saving for my Janome. The new 7700 has come out and I think I am going to get that one instead. This is going to be the last sewing machine I buy. This one has everything on it. It looks like a Bernina and Pfaff and has an arm. I thought it best to just jump right in and get this one. I know it's going to be a bit pricey...........but in the long run I am going to have it the rest of my life. Everyone on this janome site loves their 6600 and said they wouldn't part with it. The new machine will not be out until May but since I already joined a yahoo group, photos have been coming in from London and Canada. For some reason Janome thought they would premier in Europe first and then we are last. From what I understand the machine will possibly run 2,000 but for all the features this will be worth it, and there is better lighting.

Janome is in strong competition I believe with Brother because Brother gives you more features and more bang for your buck. Well Janome is doing the same. I really used to be a Bernina snob, but Janome is what I wish to work with for the time being. I really would like to work in another country doing nothing but selling sewing machines and working with them. Right now I am trying to work on just putting things together. My way of course. Some of these patterns make no sense. So I always detour. I am also still working on Canadian contacts regarding sewing machines and the like. Maybe even a fabric store. That wouldn't be bad idea. Cause you get a discount for working there. Hopefully they would sell sewing machines right there on the premise like Hancock fabrics does, if so then I am killing two birds with one stone. We'll just see how things turn out.

just some thoughts

What a no sun shine day. I think I told you about two other ladies I met from the sewing guild. Well we hit it off very well. One of them is taking a dress making course, and since it is on line decided that it would be good to have live people to correspond with. So she is sharing the lesson with me and another lady.

This online course has us doing stitches. They name the stitches but don't show what they look like. it's really done in black and white. So last night my buddy calls me to suggest that we go to the library or somewhere and get photos of the stitches and then we can do them together. Even though buddy no.1 has paid for the course buddy no.2 and myself will reap benefits from the course as well. No.1 thought it best to have someone to converse with, and I concur. On line course are tricky. Videos are more better for me. Cause I can freeze and then try to duplicate what I see. Just have the written with no pictures is hard on me.
So far on the first three paragraphs have all been technical jargin. So I am really going to have to work at this. It will be interesting to say the least. Today though I really don't feel like doing one blessed thing. Maybe I will shoot for tomorrow.

working on now

I like this design for some reason. This is fleece. It's very thick fleece, and of course what do I do with fleece? Make a jacket of course. I decided to put elastic in the sleeve to give this some type of shape. As it is most of my jackets seem a bit boxy.
This was done without a pattern.
Hopefully next month I will get some tracing paper. I've decided not to cut out the patterns any more. Then I can trace the design and try to doctor it up. Also I'm going to get some muslin because I think this will go a long way as well. Just think pretty soon spring will be here, and I will really have to start sewing to make things for summer.

I've put things in motion regarding networkng and hopefully I will meet some more new people. At least I can get my creative juices going. made a purse for my girlfriend in seattle. forgot to put this picture on as well. Hope she likes it! This is really a drab day, and I don't feel like finishing this jacket off today. Maybe I will work on it tomorrow.

lastest jacket

I was trying to find a way to turn the second picture around so you could see the design stitch. It's not too bad a jacket but the material is rather drab. I will probably have to dress this up with making a skirt or a pair of pants.

tapestry jacket and bag

This is a jacket and a bag that is hanging over the shoulder. I was trying to take a picture of the pockets. They were lined with some type of silver string. I really would like to perfect this a little more. The color is kind of green but you can't tell it in this picture. I've really got to learn how to use this camera more.

Today

Nothing too unusual today. I had to contact four people that I contacted on myself because I am so ditzy and couldn't remember the correct address to my on blogspot. I keep forgetting the damn dash. It's a shame to forget something so simple. Right now I am really low on fabric and will soon be going to my favorite place to get a few things. I am going to try and do the first week of March. I am going to make it a point.

I also am going to drag my new sewing buddy around to estate sales. I really need my serger fixed. I will get her to take me out to A-1. It won't be long before I have that 6600 in the house and I can't wait to hear that puppy roar. For some reason it seems like my Brother is slow, or maybe it's just all in my head because I know the Janome is 1,000 stitches per minute. I can live with the zigzag going 750. I've decided to let the Stitch Era go, because there are too many things going on with that program. I want something less complicated. Right now I don't have a conversion program. I am still going to get the Vikant. Right now I am going on my own schedule.

I've given some bags away and the ladies seem to like them, now I've got to get back to sewing something for me while combining making bags. Working on a schedule and putting things down on paper really seems to help. I've got a cork board with all the things I want done in the next three months, and as each one comes into few I will take down a card. The cards are colored so that makes it easier for me to focus on. Still going to network with my Canadian friends. I'm already making this a fact.

These are the latest of the bags I worked on. I've been giving some of the bags away. The third bag is green and I made three of them. People seem to like them. The tan bag I am keeping for myself because it is the first one I made with a zipper. It's really sturdy kinda canvas like material. I hope that these are not repeat pictures. If they are I'm sorry for that, but I think I mentioned the fact that I have two new sewing buddies. They are really funny.

I gave them each a bag. They really liked them, and they came in handy when I went to an estate sale. One of my friends got an espree embroidery machine, of course I wanted the serger, but was over priced used at 875.00. This was my first time going to one of these things. I managed to get some "Great patterns" a whole bag of them. They usually run 12.00 each in the store. I got at least 10, and then I got a bunch of serger thread. My friend hogged up the rest of the thread. As a matter of fact she beet me downstairs to the sewing stuff. Didn't have enough dough though to get some of the things I really wanted. I was really being careful in selecting items. I managed to get a glue gun and don't have an idea when I will use that, but I'm sure it will come in handy later on. It was really a lot of fun. I went two days in a row.

One of my neighbors paid me in advance to clean her apartment, and that's how I ended up with spending money for the estate sale. The one thing I hate the most is that if you have to go to the bathroom, you are not allowed to.....because the items of the deceased are being sold through a broker. Well now I have to wait for my next big thing. In the mean time I will make bags and save them now that I have a system going on.

conference call

Gee I know it's been a few days. Today I had a three way call with two other ladies from the sewing association. One lady is totally into crochet, and the other lady holds my interests. Which is just mainly to learn how to sew our own clothes. So two of us decided that we would clone one another in making our own body doubles. Basically I am just fiddling around in the dark with this sewing thing. I figure I will learn through trial and error.

As you recall on our first meeting there were three ladies I met. Well the lady that happens to be a tailor gets paid 20.00 and hour. I didn't know that until tonight. So we may invite her, or should I say we might pay for her to come again. The 1st lady that is suppose to head the sewing club is a member of of ASG but she doesn't feel that she is doing enough, and therefore would like to hand the rains to someone else. In addition to that there really are only two of us, and since the first lady has other interest that involve fabric making, weaving, and crochet she is not that interested in the sewing aspect too much.

However she is going to be taking a sewing course. That is a whopping 700.00 but it takes you from the very beginning. So she has offtered to share the lessons with the two of us when she signs up for the course in February. By the way I made another jacket with a purse to match out out of upholstery fabric. I really need critique from a knowing eye. But that will have to wait for the time being.

don't nothing today

Okay I know this is the new year..........however I don't feel like doing crap today. Usually I have follow that train of thought because if I start on something in this frame of mind, I will screw it up. Someone brought me some silk from china, and I will make a blouse out of it, of course I am going to hold on to that thought until summer. I am working on another tapestry jacket. It's just about through. For the past three days I was struggling with the armhole. Of course this is done without a pattern. Sooner or later I will get the hang of this I know. In the mean time I will just have to put things together.
I need to make at least two more pairs of pants and some shirts for the next few months. I am thinking about getting the pattern for a shirt at hotpatterns. There's this universal top that looks good on everyone. I am trying to get out of the boxed looked, and get more into conturing.

today

It never fails but always on the last day of the year......I become linear, and take mental inventory on stuff, my stuff and all stuff. So while I am processing and making out my cards on steps to be taken, I am still thinking of more quicker ways to reach my destination, and maybe there aren't any, but i am going to make it fun in trying to get there. I just have a gut feeling that this is going to be the year for me shine..........I'm going to push myself as hard as I can to make things work. Putting as much positive energy out as I possibly can. I will also be doing a lot of praying for this next task. It seems I have to prove something to myself again.

new year

okay I finally know what I want to do, but must keep it under wraps until the ball gets rolling. this is going to be the biggest thing I've done so far. I can't wait until things go in motion. I put my Janome sewing machine on lay-a-way and I have a target for august. It is the 6600 and this is 1,000 stiches per minute. I think that is really fantastic for a so called domestic machine.

I've only told two people that I trust about this machine. the other so called friends my throw a monkey wrench it my dream. I am going to carry out this plan. From what I can see it's going to go just right. it's a shame that folks wish you ill when you are trying to accomplish something. I am in the last phases of life so to speak and I intend to make them count for something. I decided for once in my life that I am going to do something I love doing, and I am going to work with machines. I now have to boil it down to the two items I plan on developing. I've got a check list, and I am going to go down the line after everything I accomplish. I am not going to let anything stand in my way............the fact that I've even typed this out in black and white for all to see makes me have to go through with this process.

all that's left of a quilt

this is the jacket that was made out of a queen size quilt. I will never do this again. As it was really difficult trying to maneuver the fabric under the feed dogs. I also made some oven gloves and a makeup bag. I got as much out of the quilt as I could. At this point I would not try to make a bag. I got tired of working with this fabric.
The only thing left to do is put the asian tie buttons on this jacket. It is a warm jacket though, but the fabric is not that pliable. For some reason the quilt felt a lot softer before I chopped it up. Again with my hard head I decided to make this without a pattern. Who knows I just might get the hang of this.

not complete

Here is one of the jackets I was working on, but now I have to wait to get the asian twist buttons that I want. I should be sewing at this moment but just don't have the go button on just yet. Believe it or not this is something that I've had for over a year and decided to work on it.

i know, i know

Right now I am working on a blanket that I tore apart and for some reason decided it would be a good idea to make a jacket out of it, and also see if I could make a purse as well. Tomorrow I will take pictures of the scraps and then you can get a good idea of just the mess I've created. I am hoping this is working out. As for the sewing machine that I would like to get, I've been reading up on the janome 6500 and the 6600 and it seems that the women are having trouble with the bobbins ect. I am so hoping that I don't have this problem. After I've gone through the mental process of throwing myself into one family.........Janome. I was going to do the Baby lock but I've always wanted a Janome, and I guess I won't be satisfied until I get one. At 1,000 stitches per minute this is right up my alley. It seems like my other machines are too slow. Or maybe it's just my imagination.
So far I've not heard from the ladies that I met at the sewing expo and that's alright. I am moving on to the next group of people. so I am going to continue in scoping out the sites and I really should be checking up on the blogs but have been so preoccupied with the machines. Not to mention how I'm going to keep in shape during the winter. I've got to get a stationary bike it's a must. I am really going to get in better shape. No sense in sitting around. At my age I need to be in minimum shape. I would like to age gracefully. I figure that the sewing will keep me mentally alert. It's all I have at this point. Still looking for some type of work. So I can support this habit. Something will show up I'm sure. I should say sources beyond my control will point me in the right direction around the setting that I wish to be in. I hope this is soon. Can't believe that this is December. Another year coming up...............hopefully i will be better at putting things together.

saturday

Well today my friend Carmell took me to the Janome place. I had no intentions whatsoever of getting a machine at this point and time. Guess what.....I am now putting a sewing machine on lay-a-way. It's just the one I wanted to......the guys name is Walt and we talked briefly about sewing machines. I had been on line at the Janome site and reading what the women were saying about their sewing machines. So this is one I wanted. 6600 series I believe. So this is going to be great. It will be a few months before I get this machine out, but I don't care at this point. It's better than getting one used.
I am not going to tell my other pals about this machine until after it's paid for. Thank God I have two others that I can use. This is going to be great. Also we stopped by S&R Harris fabric outlet, and of course I brought something that I had no intentions of getting. But since I hadn't been there since last November I thought to myself.......get it now because I may not come here for a while. I am going to be dreaming about miracles now that I have this machine on hold. It felt good just knowing that it will be in my possession soon. I know what you are thinking. This broad is sick.......yes I am about sewing machines, but now I finally got what I always wanted and thats a Janome. Over all this has been a really good day.

first meeting

Well I was suppose to meet my sewing buddy saturday, however she bit off more than she could chew and ended up running people around. We were suppose to meet at 11:00 and she ended up calling me around that time to say she was going to be later and could we possibly meet up on Sunday.

Needless to say I told her, "I had my bag all packed and everything" I was really disappointed, anything to get out of this place and somewhere new. So the lady told me, " let's make it for 11:00 Sunday without fail, no matter what we will make this an all day thing." So I said, "alright" for the remainder of the afternoon I just mentally vegged out and watched movies.
Now Sunday is here................cut to the chase..........I call her at 9:30 to make sure that I am not going to be stood up. She say's I will call you when I get there." 11:00, 30, 12:00,30, 1:00,30, 2:00,30 and then she calls, "I'm on Bloomington, I just go down to park? Right? Right I say...now anyone that knows me, knows I do not wait, hate it, hate it, if you tell me 11:00 you'd better be there at 11:00 or I'm off somewhere else...........but I am not driving so I am just at her mercy. When the car pulled up, all I could do was shake me head.

Now cut to the chase..........she had a nice house, and I think she was more or less trying to feel me out, after all this is the first meeting. So I brought a jacket that I am working on, my goal I told her was to finish everything I start. This fabric came all the way from Morocco so I didn't want to mess it up. She gave me some really good pointers and told me she couldn't believe that I cut this without a pattern. I also made a bag for her as a gift for our new found sewing friendship. I really hope this turns out well.

As for the second lady that I met at the sewing expo.....I find out that they don't see each other all the time. So I guess I will exclusively be her sewing buddy. I made two bags one for each of them. She was thrilled with her bag and the other lady gets her bag by default. We talked about patterns, family (just a tad) I wanted to get to the sewing part screw the niceties (isn't that crazy) but everything must take it's course. So she showed me her pride and joy: viking 500, and babylock machine, and evolve serger (the air one) and a viking serger (905) so now I know she is really a sewer. She showed me how to pop a seam, which I didn't know how to do, something regarding pockets and how to make them and place them on a jacket without showing a seem. That was neat.

Over all I think she will work out fine. I will do a follow up. She did tell me that she doesn't drive in snow, so this means that I will have to take the bus to her place. This is Minnesota for petes sake! So I might not see her that often. I don't know what I am going to do in the winter besides keep busy. We are suppose to go to the fabric place. I will make sure I do this in December. This will be my christmas present to myself. My other sewing buddy calls from Chicago and impishly gloats over sewing stuff with me, called up Katty and asked, "How are you doing?" I said, "you just called to see how the day went on my first visit with this lady." She just laughed. I'll keep you posted

two more bags

these are the bags that I made to give to the two ladies that I met at the Sewing expo. I thought that maybe it would nice to bring something to the table in that we will be sharing things with one another. So I am hoping that this goes over well.
I've decided that I am going to sew all the UFO's or as many as I can. Cause if I don't do that then I will have a lot of things unfinished. so I am going to work on one more bag that I will post and then i am going to take the morrocan fabric and show it to one of the ladies and get some help on it, really all I need is shaping of some sorts. Then I will be on my own. I will meet with her this saturday and let you know how it goes.

friday

Today I forgot to take my camera. I really, really, meant to take my camera. This was my first sewing expo in this part of the country. I'd been to the one in Puallup, in Washington state, but this was a first. I was in heaven just walking around looking at everything. I arrived around 11:30 in the morning and would you believe? I stayed until the raffled the sewing machines away.

There were so many ideas out there, and examples of things that people sewed. Even some advice on how to join an embroidery club, regardless of what brand machine I have. I was looking at the babylock sewing machines and I really liked what I saw. The serger was awesome and at 2500 dollars it should shine my shoes. It's worth every penny from what I hear. I also managed to pick up two ladies who I am sure that we will remain in contact with each other. They spent at least 300.00. I came even though I had no money but did buy something from Vogue fabrics, my hometown Chicago fabric store. It was nice seeing some of the ladies that had waited on me in the past. They didn't remember me but I remember them because I shopped there frequently. It was the only store for miles around that had such a large selection to choose from.

I also tried to see if I could get some connections with working for Babylock. I now realize that suggesting volunteering to work at any fabrick shop is out of the question. Hiring is the key. So I guess I will just keep plugging away. It's a very tough place to try and get into especially if you are a woman of color. I still enjoyed just being there. I will make sure that I attend next year, and maybe take a class of some sort. I was advised though by my new found friends that taking a class was not all that beneficial. So I just remembered. These ladies really sew, so I am quite sure I will learn something from them. Well that's all for now. I am tempted to go again saturday, just to see if I can win a machine. Who wouldn't want to win one, but now since Babylock says they have a lay-a-way then I am going to go that route.

sewing expo

Well monday I went to the Pfaff sewing center up in St.Paul. I just introduced myself and inquired about a job. I know they are not hiring, but I added that I would like to volunteer two days of my time just so I could learn about sewing machines. Well the lady just looked at me and smiled like you would with a child. At least that is the way I felt. She gave me a free pass to go to the sewing expo....so I am really happy about that, but I told the manager that I would like to be loyal to at least one sewing machine.

I told her that I was familiar with the top of the line sewing machines or should I say makes of sewing machines, and that I always keep myself informed on the latest with the on line sites and what the ladies are saying out there. I think that this would be a plus having someone with that type of info. I jokingly stated that trying to get a part time job in this field is like trying to get into the mafia. It's so tightly run and most of the time it's by private owners and they are so far out in the subburbs. I also asked if she had a lay-a-way plan. That was a definite no but it was in the eyes followed by a soft verbal no. I will see if I can make some type of contacts at the sewing expo. I am going to be a sewing machine whore........and to the person who takes me up on my offer. I refuse to work with Singer. I'll do anything but singer. I'm not that crazy about viking but I will even surrender to them just to get my foot in the door. I will report on thursdays outing.

ASG

Today I spoke to a member of the american sewing guild. She was nice but we'll see how things go. We were discussing how things are run and which type of groups that I might be able to join. Also how close they are. It appears that the majority of these places are really far out in the sub burbs as is the usual case, and the rest of them are in St. Paul.
I've been checking out St. Paul lately and so far i like what I saw. I am anxious to meet someone who can share my enthusiasim. It would be nice. I am trying to find a meeting place that we might show up in, also I would like to meet more than just one day out of the month I'd feel cheated. I'm also told that if I join the guild that I would get discounts on fabric and stuff. Can't add up to to much. I am keeping my fingers crossed on another thing, I dare not say it, also I found a Janome dealer but I've got find out whether or not I would be able to reach this place by bus. This is my biggest drawback since moving from Seattle. No car, and boy do I miss having one.

the inside of the poncho

I did not mean to show two of these pictures. I'll get this right yet. I've been fidling around with this camera all day. Lost the pictures, duplicated pictures, deleted pictures. Sooner or later I'll get it. It's just remembering all of the is crap.

todays poncho

still looking

Right now I am still looking in trying to find something involving sewing. Determined that someone is going to let me in this market. In the mean time I've been going to "savers" it's like the salvation army or something. Hopefully I will find some type of fabric. But to tell the truth I think that I am going to better off going on line to buy fabric. I will have to develope a buget of some sort.
I spent all this time building up credit to have the company fold. Now I will have to find another outlet. I had planned on getting something from all brand in addition to the software. I will get the Vikant because it's less trouble. I really wanted to start using this embroidery machine but the software is what stands in the way. I can put in on lay-a-way and that will be a start, but I've got another prodject I am working on as well. Will upload as soon as I get the chance or take more pictures.

photos

i hope i am doing this right. Trying to download the pictures. So up at the top I wanted to decorate this old stand. So I took some regular old sheet material and put some lacey stuff around it. The next picture is of yours truly in a fruit material. It says native italian on it. Who would walk around with oranges on themselves? Only me. Then there's the picture of my canvas shopping bag. I broke three needles on the machine trying to make that bag. I've not gotten the hang of focusing. The last pictures are of downtown minneapolis from the 5th floor.

tuesday

Okay i know that today is thursday, but tuesday I went to this place called savers, and I think from now on I'll keep looking for fabric. So far I've lucked out in buying some fabric, usually it cost me around 1.99 and I can make a pair of shorts or a top from it. So this tues I found some teal like fabric and also some type of tee shirt (white and stretchy) all in all 4.00 and which each of the fabrics I can get a pair of pants for the teal, and a top. With the blouse I think i will just get a top and save the rest of it.
Now mind you I've not brought any store material just yet. The way I figure it I might not be able to get anything until November. Right now I've got my eyes set on this Janome sewing machine. I am thinking about putting it on lay-a-way. I may start next month. Either way I hope to have it out by January. I don't want to sign up for a class until I get the machine out.
It's amazing how folks think I can sew cause they see me wear the stuff I make, and haven't a clue as to what I did, most of the time I am just tracing things out from other stuff I've worn. I can't wait to take some of the on line classes. I am also going to get the Vikant. I just don't feel like dealing with a lot of stuff. The Ped design is not too clear, and I really need something a little more easier. I forgot how to work my camera and download....so I have to go back to the instructions and try to apply them to this site. My friend is Seattle is really nosey so she wants to see. She can't help herself.

long time

well i know it's been a while since my last post. However I've been paying down some bills and still doing my research regarding a sewing machine. So far I've gone back to the sight on the Bernina (i will always love that machine) but realistically the price right now is just too much. So i've been going back and forth to all brands.com and looking at the Janome deals they have. I am really torn between three sewing machines. One I has a large bed, and that would be wonderful but not too practical to take to a sewing class.
Then it brings me down to the cheaper brand....hate the word cheap, what's more hate getting cheap anything. I feel it's much better suffering with getting what you want so that you keep it a longer period of time. So I might go a little higher with the Janome. It has a good reputation. Hopefully i will get some fabric soon.
As for the summer I've been going to second hand stores in the area and finding good deals on remnants. Made nothing but shorts, and and awful suit....that I will show later. Right now I am working on a shirt. Will take a picture and post it. I've been out of needles so I've got to get some and have spoiled myself with getting the Klasse needles you don't have to change them as often as the smetz. Well I will try and put the photos on during the weekend. Right now the Minnesota fair is going on.
Made a little change cutting hair so there goes my sewing needles. ciao for now

today

Ordinarilly I don't speak about people I first meet unless there's a lasting impression. Today I met a lady is somewhat like myself. The kicker was the 5 sewing machines. Well anyone in my book that has 5 sewing machines is just plain old special to me. She's even a hairstylist just like myself so I know she's alright.

You know hairstylist are really out there sometimes, but it's all done in creativity. I hope this is the beginning of a new friendship. It would be great. As you noticed i've not put too many things down because in am in a financial crunch right now. So i will be looking for something part-time. My new found friend (i am going to safely assume that she is) may have some leads. I've not brought any fabric since November. Still paying on my move out here. In the mean time I will still be checking out things. Right now I am taking care of my body, pretty soon I will get my mojo back and start sewing. But right now my head is not at it. The only thing to get me out of this slump is to go to s&r harris fabric, if for nothing else but to drool over fabric.

my day

well today was my national holiday....you would think that I would be going someplace. that was my plan but who knows I will make up for it and go someplace later. I laid around the apartment all day, and only went downstairs to get my mail. Guess I could have gone out, but not with no dough.
Right now I am waiting on word of a bra making course that I want to price. I am tired of paying for these bras. So I don't care if I make one cup bigger than the other....I am going to learn how to make a bra. I hate it when I am not able to get the fabric and stuff I want due to other finacial obligations. Hopefully I will be out of the hole in august. I am going to try and make something towards the end of the month. ciao for now

research

Well so far I am taking some free courses from HP so I can figure out how to use some of this stuff on my high tech computer. I am trying to prepare myself for the pattern software I plan on purchasing. If i don't get this crap right then I could mess up big time. so i prefer not to be in the dark. It would help If I learn a little something. I might not be able to retain all of it, but at least some of the stuff will probably look familiar.

Saturday morning I am going to a textile swapmeet .....guess that what you call it. They say they might have fabric there. I am hoping that it won't all be cut up in squares for quilting. Since that seems to be the only thing that people are interested in lately. There is just something about cutting up squares and then sewing them back together in order to make a design that drives me nuts. Maybe it's just a visual thing. I am looking forward to this day and hope that maybe I might get some deals. I might think about taking the camera there so that i will have something to post. Let you know what i come up with.

changes

You know i was trying to find a way to operate this web cam. By gosh....when i caught a glimpse of myself. I wondered how the hell my nose grew and why it's spread half way across my face. I know your nose and your feet grow but this is ridiculous. The feet i can get used to, but my nose is another thing. I touched my nose and of course a tablespoon full of oil came out of it. The darndest thing is that the rest of my body is like the gobi desert. It's so dry that my skin can literally make a nice flake cereal....ok I know that's disgusting but that's what's going on in my neck of the woods. Face in tact and body drying out. My feet need sandpapering. Of course i am going to get my feet done...hope they don't charge me extra. Dry dry dry dry ciao for now

my computer

ok i was on the phone this morning for two and half hours with hp and them adding a few more things on my computer. I am so high tech now that I don't know how to operate jack crap. so now I have to train myself on the new things that they added. I have a photo of the lady wearing the bag i liked most but I can't figure out a way to post it. so sue me. I don't think i'll ever have a famous blog. ellen degenerous needs to help me out with a new serger. Not to mention a car so that I can go to the fabric places. But of cours that's a dream. Ellen that's my girl.

same jacket part 2

okay this is part of my face. I lined just the inside of this fleece with flannel. I know you don't have to line it, but for me it keeps the static down and it wears better. I have another jacket that I made with a flannel lining. It doesn't get too hot, nor do you get cold in it. I haven't found a way to load all of the pictures on this post yet. I would like to thumbnail them. But don't know how yet. still learning.

my jacket

okay this is my boxy jacket. The material looks better in person, it's an light olive green. you'd never no it, and monday I tested wearing it. It's a little too warm, but that's alright. I would like my sewing to look more refined. I look like I am a retired greenbay packer in this photo. So next time I won't show my face.

horrible!

I have been on the phone with "Brewers" the quilting and notion people. I have been waiting for my "Stitches" magazine since December of 2008. Ok now they tell me that they have been having trouble with the distributers and they need of quota of 300 subcribers. Well "Brewers" only has 100 people. This just sucks! sucks! and more sucking that I could just scream. Of course this tells you what my life is all about doesn't it?
I even emailed australia for christs sake. So now I am going to have to go back to Erica in Indiana to get my back orders. Right now I have to do first things first and that's get those mags. I'm addicted to that magazine like crack! now it's gonna take forever to get it.

youtube

Since i was not sleepy I decided to watch youtube howto's. I was looking at the wordpress blog and trying to figure out if I want to go there or stay here. There seems to be a lot more on the sight in which to choose from. So I am in the thinking process right now.
I am also waiting on a friend to take a picture of the purse that I made for his wife a few weeks back. I wanted to post that picture. so I will come back with more on the possible switch as soon as I ask my internet guru friend about it. ciao for now

today

I am still working on this jacket. Really procrastinating with the zipper. I should have it done this week. I only worked on the zipper all a mere 10 minutes, and then just stopped. You really have to be in the mood to do this. Some days are better. I will attempt to put this together again tomorrow. I think I am going to force myself every day at the same time. Which is 11:00.

Bernina

Thursday I went to Hancock fabric. It seemed like I was going to another country almost....it took just that long to get there. Anyway I was so surprised to find the Bernina people there. This has got to be the cleanest and neatest Hancock fabric I've ever seen.

I spoke to one of the ladies....and I mentioned that I'd spoken to her on the phone about possibly working with Bernina. I really love the sewing machine. Even though I have my Brothers Ult2003 I will always end up using the Bernina for hard core stuff. It might be on the noisy side but I like it none the less. Anyway if the lady can't hire me I emailed and told her that I would be more than glad to volunteer working there. What more could a person ask for? I get to learn a lot and play with the machines. That would be the ulitimate job for me, because I would be doing something I love.

I don't know if I will hear from the lady but who knows what might happen? If she doesn't take me someone else will take me up on that offer. I am also going to try and see if I could go further up north. Of course the ultimate would be working in Canada at a sewing place. Those women have sewing, fabric and machines coming out of their noses. Towards the end of the month I hope to go up to Mill end fabric and see what deals I can come up with. I would also like to check out their tapestry.

Stitches magazine

Well I've been awaiting my "Stitches" magazine since December of 2008. I renewed also in the latter part of the month. I have contacted Brewers quilting it had another name and I can't think of it at the moment. Anyway I spoke to them today for the second time regarding my subscription. They claim that they've not heard anything from the Australian publications regarding distribution.

The representative told me that there is a posibility that it is no longer in publication. If that is so I am going to be so disappointed. I love that magazine more than "Threads" primarily because they are more into styles and coutour. I like the pictures that are in the magazine and also the way the articles are done. I've written Lynn cook who is the editor at large i guess. I'm starting to get really worried on whether or not they have gone under.

Right now there are more knitting magazines than anything else, and I am not into knitting. Just like there are more knitting books than there are sewing books. There are just as many things to do regarding sewing. So if this is the case that there are not going to be any more magazines then I am going to cherish the old ones that I have.

I am making a jacket today.....and as usual I don't have something I need. I need a zipper for this jacket. I'm afraid to ruin it with buttons. I love the material. I will take a picture of it as soon as I'm done. ciao for now

bunk

I know I am not suppose to put anything personal on here other than sewing stuff but sometimes stuff just tickels me and I have to write. Since moving here I've come across really colorul characters; while waiting to go to my various sewing stuff. While residing at shady rest minnisota junction: I find that older adults act just like kids.

Observation: I am no longer looking for any relationship especially on line. As i told my friend this morning. You should see the guys that have hit on me in this building. Sometimes looks say a thousand words: there is a gentleman who looks just like a walrus with a mustache...just got a haircut the other day. He has two cheddar teeth and the top and the other three at the bottom look like they are going on demolition rot. Anyway he has an enormus girth, his stomach enters the room before he does but somehow he seems to find me and wants to talk. Why is it that folks who are losing teeth, or don't have teeth find the need to smile and show you their gums or tooth rot? They really don't care. It's just amazing!

Second guy is question: is like obi one canobi only this guy as the runs of the mouth God bless his soul. Nothing is remotely pertinent when he opens his mouth to speak. Starts off talking about flour and will end up talking about fly spit. Who cares? Then there's another guy that has long hair, southern drawl, overall blue jeans. We have these magnetic cards that get us through entrance of the building. He's the only guy that opens the door with his ass. Just amazing. These three gentleman are in heat, and always have something to say to me. It just goes to show you that people who look crazy, and are three sandwiches short of a picnic love talking to people who are sane.

Well on the on hand that makes you probably wonder about me because I talk to these people. I just don't want to be rude. I figure if these guys are like this now, just what will they be like when it gets warm. Lord please let me be gone all summer long. You know people always watch the newest person that moves in the building. Maybe I am fair game. Another guy is on an oxygen tank has four teeth, and smokes, and is delightful to a certain extent. I told him, "if you remove the oxygen hose from your nose and gave me a hug, you would probably fall down. I figure there is no sense in him looking, but he can dream can't he? which makes him all the more safer to talk to because his health is in such poor condition that him making a pass at me; makes him safe! Boy what a relief.

Well my computer is still being service, and i will try and take a picture of myself with makeup on, and then I will get someone to take a picture of me in the stuff I've made. I'll have to admit that I don't go by the rules in sewing. So my stuff is a little unorthadox. Well so much for personal stuff. I'll get back as soon as I get an itch to write. ciao for now

visiting

well i was visiting a couple of sewing blogs, and i realized that i wanted to spice my background up a little. Maybe i am just jumping the gun first things first. Well i found out that there are a couple of glitches in my new computer, and it will have to be sent back. So you won't hear from in the next nine days. Wah wah wah.....now you know that when you've got the computer right here with you, you are not thinking about using it. Now that i know it's going to be gone I am going to want to use a computer. That's just ass backwards I know.

Can't wait for the spring to start up so that i can go fabric hunting. Think I will start around March. Then by April I will have a few things sewn up. last year i didn't buy any clothes from the store. I made all of my skirts. I've really got to get on the ball in making shirts. I think I am just afraid of the buttons. I didn't know that you have to have stabilizer for button holes. No wonder the button holes looked like they were going to get up and walk, and tiredly i might add.

now that I am in Minneapolis i suddenly am getting advertisements from Vogue fabrics. Too late guys. I really can't wait to find out how this place is in the summer. Hope i haven't gone from bad to worse. I do like what i see so far. In the mean time i am going to get as many sewing dvds and watch sewing videos. I am want to take this class in St. Paul for march. It might be a little later. Right now though I am having thoughts of grandeur on what to do for my birthday. Even though it's in may......i would like to be in a different state .....just for the day....be someplace different that i've not been before. What a wondering soul I am.....ciao for now

glad to pose

This is Linda she does not sew, but knows that Sue and I do, and she was such a dear in staying with us the whole 2hours while we drooled. This was my first time using the digital camera, and my first time on this fabric trip. Linda is holding up one of Sues quilt like squares. The are really works of art, and they adorn Sues walls. So now I've figured this out pictures and posting. Now it's on to the next hurdle. I'm learning!

Swith reels.....saw myself on the webcam and nearly scared the hell out of my self because I almost didn't recognize the reflection staring back at me. Age is just shocking some time. I am going to try and take more pictures now of the fabric places and then give the thumbs up and down. ciao for now

bagged treasures

This is the same day with Sue and Linda. Sue is the crafter and dyes material. She walks out of the store with paying only 15.00 odd dollars. Since i felt like alice in wonderland naturally I spent 53.00 but that was pretty good, out of this trip I've made two purses with leather, and will also have some canvas for a tote bag. Three shirts, well just jersey tops. Those are not that exciting. I am going to save up next time, cause i will need exactly a good 200.00.....

then this way I can make my whole spring/summer stuff.

my first time working with leather & tapestry

This is another style bag minus the straps that I gave to another friend. I scalloped the leather (white part) with a perscription bottle, and this is what I came up with, the upper part is tapestry. The bag came out pretty good, but I have to learn how to defince stuff a little more. I made this without a pattern. I gave this one to another friend of mine. She said she like it, and that it would match her shoes, or boots.

fabric heaven

At last this is the picture that i downloaded on my desktop. Don't know how I did it, but now you can see the smile that i was talking about. I haven't figured out yet how to download all of the pictures at the same time. so here goes

new new

ok now i have everything new and don't know how to use, i am learning. Tried to download the pictures but don't know how to do that yet. I had a headache in just going back and forth on this notebook. It takes some getting use to no doubt. I am going to play with this a little more, and try to see if i can get some on hands help. ciao for now

trying to keep busy

Ok you know how this goes, you start on something like my Morroccan Jacket, and then I have to stop. I have the sleeves in and all I have to do is put the collar on and hem the sleeves, and the bottom of the Jacket. My problem is.....I don't have the asian buttons I need to finish the prodject. I am almost petrified in making button holes on this fabric, but I now know that you have to stabilize the buttons holes, I learned it the hard way. Also I wanted to do a hongkong finish on the inside of the Jacket, because I thought that I would be able to wear it in reverse. It's an interesting piece. I need bias tape, black bias tape. Anyway that frustrates me not to be able to complete something because I'm missing another piece to the puzzle.

So guess what I did? I picked up something else to start on. I saw this Eyptian looking tapestry and thought it would be nice to make a bag out of. I am not using a pattern. I also brought some leather from the goldmind that I visited earlier. I am going to use the leather for the bottom of the bag, and if I can make handles out of the rest of the leather. It's really a nice color. I will more than likely have a new computer by february and then I will post the pictures. I will just take pictures of what I'm making and then you will see what I've done during the winter.

I thought to myself wouldn't it be interesting to using invisible thread on this bag. So I tried it. One thing I know not to do, is to try wind the thread on bobbin. It's just awful. The thread starts to unravel before you even put the bobbin in position to be wound. So one of my friends told me she would never put that thread on the bobbin. I said thanks for telling me after I spent an hour trying to remove the thread from inside the bobbin spool. I thought I was going to have to take the machine apart. So i am just using the thread at the top and using regular thread in the bottom. It works out alright so far. I like the effect the invisible thread gives on this tapestry.

I also used uphostery needle 100-94 I believe or i can use the denim needles either one will work. So later on I will get to putting this bag together. Another thing I wanted to try was using glue to position the leather in place. Guess what I have no glue. So now this will be another unfinished thing until I get to the fabric store. One thing I know for sure sewing is expensive, and when you get into to notions from now on am going to pick out something I don't need at the moment, because I never know when I'm going to need it in the future. I think these two things will turn out nice though. I am going to have to get someone to take my pictures with me wearing my stuff. well ciao for now.....if anyone has any ideas at all feel free to send some views.

Ok today I decide to cut into my virgin fabric from Morroco. I was so nervous I had to come down here to be on the computer. It's so nerve wracking because you know that once you cut into the fabric there's no turning back. But I've had this fabric for 2yrs. Got it in Chicago. I am going to attempt to make a jacket out of it, but first I must procrastinate.

The material is uphostery. So I thought that this would be unique in that it would be sturdy jacket. I know though that this must be dry cleaned. I'll get around to sewing it tomorrow after I watch one life to live. I haven't a clue how this is going to turn out at all. I promised myself that I would cut into the fabric, that means the fabric I got from China 6yrs ago from a friend. I got scared after screwing up the fabric that my friends brought back from Ireland. Man did that hurt. Of course I tried using a pattern. This was the real wool. The pattern sucked.

So now I am going to go by myself without a pattern to see how this is going to turn out. Sometimes I score and sometimes I don't. I am just to go for it. This should be fun. Right now though I am going to have to go because someone came down and started to talk to me while I am on this thing. So I will talk to you later.

sunday

Well i've just moved into an another apartment. Which is really a long story. Let's just say there was a rent adjustment. I moved from a really large apartment with plenty of room for me to collect crap. This is due to a monetary and paper gliche that management had on properties. The properities had already made their adjustment on rent increase for the year. Wish they told me that in august when I applied.

In my new apartment I can sneeze, fart and blow my nose and be in the same room. My point....there is no room. What ever will I do? I've got to find a way to be able to sew in this new place. The walk in closet is filled with fabric scraps and patterns, not to mention some fabric that i've not sewn yet. I am going to have to sew the stuff now. In the other apartment though short lived I made two shirts and a pair of pants. I was really going to go to town. Of course I've been bitching about not being able to get any fabric this month.

This move has cost me up the ying yang. I am still going to buy fabric. I would like to have just 100.00 so I could get some fabric and make some things. Now i know I said I don't have any room, but something tells me that I will fill up my closet with a few hanging things. By the way my closet is filled with stuff I sewed up last summer that are now in boxes. I've thought about putting some things in storage. Now that's an idea...put my sewing stuff in storage. I am going to have to work this out. I have no time to have a nervous breakdown at this point. I keep telling my self...."this too shall pass" and I hope it passes with a quickness. I was going to get myself some fabric for this month, but had to pay some unexpected charges in housing. Well let's hope that the new year brings me much more than I've had this year. The term bumpy ride does not even remotely sound familiar. This is like gargantuan, monolithic, and any word used to describe what i've been through this year.

the mother load!

Well today I went to the "mother load " of fabric stores it seems. I went with two ladies. I have the pictures but of course I have this imac and can't download a thing right now. I wish you could have seen my eyes pop out of my head practically as I oohed as soon as I came through the door. I was instantaneously visually drunk with wonderment on how big this place was, and every inch of it covered with fabric. I didn't know which to direction to go first. I asked, Linda (the friend of Sue) to take a picture of me. I was grinning like queen in boys town. I didn't know what to touch first.

I even took off my coat because I felt like a pilgrim on virgin land. Well not quite, I knew that others had walked my path but I was a virgin on this conrete. Well I thought I was bad with wonderment you should have seen Sue, and she's been there before! she just made these sounds as she touched the fabric. "oh look ! she says, "isn't this the prettiest green, it will make a nice scarf" Yes I say, and around the corner I go to look at something else. Well I was doing the same thing as well. This store has everything. Tapestry, and just bolts and bolts of fabric piled so high up to the ceiling. You have to ask for help on that. I might add that I left today at 12 noon, and didn't get home until 5:00 pm boy time flies when you are looking at fabric. They even had leather pieces of it in big barrels at 3.99 a square yd. Then there were big patches of canvas and of course I was salivating on other fabric and Sue managed to pick up perriwinkle. I love that color.

Wish you could have seen me trying to dig through the barrel looking for that color. This store had rolls of elastic at 20 cents a yard! So i got 7yrds. That's a steal, then I got some coat fabric for 10.00 a yard, so I have two shirts, 2 bags. My stash is so low you wouldn't believe. I had saved up for this because Linda told me weeks ago that she was going to tell Sue about me. Sue is a crafter and does marvelous work with painting fabrics and bordering with quilt like affects. so I really and I do mean really suffered to get this change up, in light of everything that's happened to me this month. Even though this store has everything in it, it's not the store that you go to every time you want something, because you would need exactly 300.00 each time you go at least thats what i would like to take with me. So I am going to remember that, and go to the other store....because I can get stuff at 1.99 a yd. because I can come out with more outfits.

While I walked I was in true pain, but I tell you that you've never seen anyone smile through it. I was in heaven. Now if they just had some machinery I would have dripped all over the store. I won't get greedy. But I can tell you that I won't be going back there until February. I've already got it planned. Sue knows the places to go. So I am going to save myself the time and take her advice on these two places. I might just order on line. The damage is done for today. Now if I can get the camera to work I will post those pictures. I have another person that says she is interested in sewing. Well she wanted to use my sewing machine, and I had to explain to her that asking that question is like asking me, "can I wear your drawers? it's that serious people! The lady didn't take it the wrong way, but i am going to get her hooked. I am going to get her to buy the notions first, and then every time I buy fabric I am going to show her, sooner or later she has got to weaken, especially when she sees me wearing what i showed her. Well this was really a wonderful day, I met another person who drools over fabric just like me. She's a fabraholic. I was drunk today in that fabric shop. I didn't feel it all, until I sat down in the car.

another fabric place

Yesterday I was hell bent on going to this Crafty Planet place. I got the directions from the bus operator and off I went. Now the bus operator neglected to tell me that I should connect to another bus on Johnson street. I ended up getting of the bus across a bridge. To make matters worse I had to pee. So like radar I scope another place across the street hoping to find a place that will let me use there bathroom. I end up in a scented shop of some sort. I ask the lady for directions and also can i use their restroom.

I go back outside as instructed to find the bench and sit there impatiently waiting for the bus. It finally arrives. I stupidly ask a passenger on the bus..."do you know where crafty planet is ? no says the lady, but then I hear a guy saying, 'yeah you get off where i get off I used to work there" So i get off and the guy directs me to the back of a building telling me to follow the bike path. There's no bike path. I am now approaching a lady with two dogs. I ask her does she know where the shop is. "oh you have to get back on the bus and go over the hill. I should have looked at the address. As i walk down the street i realize i am on 18th street. The address say 2800 something. How dumb can you be. Then to pay attention people you think they know what they are talking about cause you are not from this place and learning your way around.

The temperature is now dropping. I am really in a funky mood. Here comes the bus, and off i go again. When i finally approach my stop I look over to my right and there is the crafty planet. I am so disappointed. I am thinking thinking that since the last word is planet it is a huge place and I planned on wasting at least an hour. I walk in to the shop. The place should be called Crafty Nook it's too small, but they have nice stuff in there and none of it I am interested in. They are all cotton prints. All the prints are 8.99 that was not happening with my pocketbook. So I tried to enjoy my 10minute scope of things and decided there nothing i was going to buy. Now I have to wait for 30minutes for the bus. Off i go with no fabric in hand. such was my day. Monday or tuesday I am going to go to another place. I've got to find which place is going to be my fabric home. Mill end is a definite, but i think I am going to like the other place as well. I should be sewing something but right now haven't set up things just yet. I need some fabric for two more pants.

going hunting

Well I finally got a chance to see one of the MN stores. I called transit information to get the directions. Ironically I just magically got an operator who sews! She said, "I do all of my shopping there, but you have to dig for your deals." They don't have things in order like the other stores, that's why they are so cheap." I told the lady you are like music to my ears. Now the lady said that this was the closet shop. So on the bus I go for my first journey. It seemed like forever, because i don't know where the hell I am going.

When i get off the bus after what seems like an hour ride. I realize i am in no mans land. But i spot my treasure spot. I walk in the place and automatically my nose starts to plug up from the dust. I get so excited trying to calm myself but quietly. When you walk in the door the patterns are to your left. Then the material starts. I didn't know what direction to go in. The store is the size of a Hancock store, but they've got so much packed into that space. I was expecting a larger place. I actually had to take my coat off because i was overheating with contentment. Man did i find deals. I walked away with wool that was 4.99 but i got it at 1.99 because a lady in the store gave me a 60% coupon. I got four shirts, one jacket and a pair of pants. That would have cost me at least 79.00 to 100.00 bucks. I got them all for half that price. Had i had another coupon I would have gotten it for less. Well I will try to make another journey.

I think I am going to like it here. I've found out though that a lot of the sewing people seem to reside in ST. Paul but I've not ventured down there or maybe i just haven't found the minneapolis crowd yet. I am really looking forward to going up to Canada to hunt for fabric. If I could just find someone who is a fabraholic like me it would be so much fun. But for now I am enjoying this. I am going to find my way to the other stores when the weather permits. I have to tell you I felt drunk in that store going through the stuff. I spent an hour in there and then my back started to hurt and I had to leave, but i happilly limped to the busstop with my treasures. I didn't get a chance to salivate over the other stuff....darn!